L/Sto1. George Swann
Royal Navy HMS Manchester
from:Birmingham, Warwickshire
George Swann joined the Royal Navy at the outbreak of war in 1939 as a stoker on Victory 2, joining HMS Manchester the following year. On that terrible night during the Malta convoy after the ship was scuttled, he finished up in the sea, for some time, until he was picked up by an American vessel which was homeward bound.
He finished up in New York, stayed for three weeks and went home to rejoin Victory 2 and continue fighting the war, moving to HMS Vernon, HMS Indomitable, HMS Victory and other ships. He must have loved the life of a sailor, because when the war ended he stayed on until he was eventually pensioned off in 1958.
He couldn`t get the sea of his chest anyway, so he bought a pub in Portsmouth with his wife Peggy and ran it until his death in 1993. Last year his daughter, Brenda died and a few months later, his last remaining sibling Trevor passed away too. As the eldest nephew, all the old photos were passed onto me, and I was struck by the photo of one of his shipmates with his wife, a lovely photo. However on the reverse, is written, "Topsy", Dad`s friend, killed on HMS Manchester, Malta Convoy 1941, Albert Turner. R.I.P. If Topsy`s family happen to see this posting, I would be delighted to send them this card.
He earned the Pacific Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star,
